Search results for

Since September, much of the Northeast has been experiencing drought conditions, with some areas like Baltimore and Boston lacking anywhere from 6 to 9 inches of rain.According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as of Dec. 3, roughly 98% of the Northeast is abnormally dry and 23% is in a severe drought, impacting the drinking water of nearly 14 million people.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich reports on the ongoing drought and the array of implications for the region.

Next month, as November’s election winners are sworn in, one name will be notably absent from the roster of Delaware officeholders. For the first time in nearly 50 years, Tom Carper will not be serving the people of Delaware after announcing in May 2023 that he would not seek another term in the U.S. Senate.Carper departs after stints as Delaware State Treasurer, Congressman, Governor, and U.S. Senator, and his 14-0 record running for statewide office in the First State is unprecedented.Contributor Larry Nagengast recently sat down with Carper to reflect on his 48-year political career and his legacy as one of Delaware's most iconic politicians.

Imagine everyday objects turned into artistic ‘masterpieces’ with nothing more than duct tape and a sense of humor.That’s the premise behind the Biggs Museum of American Art’s “Duct-Taped Treasures” auction. From in-gallery headphones to archival gloves, the Biggs is auctioning off everyday items found around the museum to raise funds for its operations and programming, and spark conversation around supporting cultural institutions.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by Biggs’ Director of Marketing and Public Relations Kerri Lacey for more on the auction.

Listen to the full show or individual segments.

Sports tourism is becoming a big business in the First State.That’s according to a report from the Delaware Tourism Office, which found that visitor spending and sports tournaments generated more than $400 million in 2023 business sales.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently caught up with the Director of the Delaware Tourism Office Jessica Welch to examine the growing economic impact of sports tourism in the state and what’s fueling the industry.

The Delaware Division of the Arts is launching a series of art classes tailored specifically for military veterans.The arts have proven to help veterans navigate the challenges of life after service and the Division's eight-week program offers more than just a creative outlet; it’s a space for connection, expression, and support.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by Briana Henry – Community Engagement Program Officer for the Delaware Division of the Arts – to learn more about the classes and how the arts can benefit veterans.

The Delaware General Assembly reconvenes next week and a week later Matt Meyer will be sworn in as Delaware’s next governor. One issue they’ll need to tackle together is education, but in fact, addressing education really requires working on a myriad of issues and topics simultaneously.Education funding, teacher pay, and school climate are just a few of the areas Gov.-elect Meyer and state lawmakers will be delving into in the coming months.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast reports on the state of play on education in Delaware.

Listen to the full show or individual segments.

Homelessness is a persistent issue in Delaware, including in its largest city Wilmington.Wilmington continues to grapple with a rising unhoused population, exacerbated by a lack of resources and affordable housing, and advocates say new Mayor John Carney faces a steep challenge in solving the crisis.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently spoke with Stephen Metraux – Director of the Center for Community Research and Service and Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Delaware – about how Wilmington can address homelessness under new leadership.

Delaware recently signed an agreement to lease land at 3Rs Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park to US Wind to serve as the power access point for its planned Maryland offshore wind project. While that project has received all necessary federal and Delaware permits, Sussex County denied a conditional use permit for the substation and the project faces a pair of lawsuits targeting the permitting process and the environmental impacts.These flashpoints and the larger discussion of the potential benefits and drawbacks of offshore wind raise questions: how well do Delawareans understand offshore wind and how can that understanding be improved?This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down with Kathryn Lienhard – an Offshore Wind Energy Research Associate for Delaware Sea Grant's Marine Advisory Service – to discuss offshore wind literacy and the debate over offshore wind in the First State.